**Electric skillet method-*Open for further questions-starting page 26

[Harley's girl]

That is Awesome!!!!! Please keep us updated! I have to know how this works out!!!

 

[bearcat73]

I was just at walmart and they had an electric skillet (with glass lid) for $21.99. The lowest numbered setting it had was 250 degrees but it also had "Warm" and "simmer" settings. Wonder if the manual would say what temperature those settings were.

 

[mangled]

Okay, I have that SAME skillet, got it for Christmas a few years ago (

) and I have never, ever used it. AND I got a huge crock-pot, which has a clear lid.

Now I have to go put some thermometers in them and see what they heat up to on low.

My husband will be thrilled to see I'm finally using the skillet he got me.

Em

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
Mine kicks in heating below the warm setting. I just set it up and turned the knob until it kicked in. Then let is sit for an hour or two and check the temp. Slowly turn up the dial until you reach temp. Remember though that if you turn it up until it actually kicks in your making a big temp jump. Just creap it along even though it doesn't kick in.

Also, I have the rectangle one and one end's temp is a degree higher than the other. When setting up I would recommend using two thermometers to check and make sure you don't get the high end to high. As I'm turning eggs I'm rotating them between the ends to try to keep the hatch even.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
Watch the crock-pot close when checking it. I almost killed a thermometer in mine! The lowest setting was to high. Maybe use a thermometer with a real high upper end.

 

[MrsCountryChick]

Amazing how even everyday common use items may create success as an incubator. I even read on a thread where someone posted how their 8yr old grandchild took an egg home & put it on a heating pad for 21 days hoping for success, all the while they tried to prepare them for a dead chick, and ended up it hatched! Amazing how a bought incubator can flub up a batch, yet something simple can create success. I Wish you Luck on your outcome

 

[championny]

I set it up and I am actually gonna try to post a picture when I can figure it out.

I placed a pot on top of the skillet and the temp is around 98.5 right now. I have a lid on it that's clear (all mine are) and i have my digital temp/hydrometer in there. A few more degrees and I think I will have it.

Then I am on to stabilize the humidity. I think its 67-68% right?

I dunno about doing this for a full 28 days, but I think this will work for the next three that I need it to. It's really exciting. Thanks again for the idea Farmer Kitty!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
28 days-What are you hatching, ducks?
How to post pics:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=504

 

[MissPrissy]

I am wondering if you need to lift them up just a little off the bottom of the pan since that is where the heat source is.

100 degrees in the summer in one spot can fry an egg. 100 degrees on the egg in one spot for 3 or 4 hours before turning is direct heat instead of a more circulated heat from the air temps in an indirect heating source.

 

[rufus]

Years ago we did this with some duck eggs we found in a nest along the canal bank. They hatched, but one of the ducks got under the pan, and when the element turned on he was killed.

We put the eggs on towels inside the skillet. We sprayed them with a spray bottle and we changed the towel daily.

We rotated the eggs four or five times a day.

Duck eggs take 28 days, so when we had to leave town for a week, we passed the eggs off to my father in law. He kept them in his barber shop until we got home.

The ducks grew up, and one day they just flew away.

Rufus